Page 48 of Their Alpha

“We’ve got a cabin in the woods,” I said as vaguely as possible. “We’re heading there for a bit of a getaway.”

I stuck to the truth as much as possible, since I wouldn’t have time to share any story I concocted with Artemis and Gideon, should they be asked.

“I understand,” the omega said, a look in his eyes like he actually did understand. “It’s nice for those of us with unconventional partnerships to get away from the ordinary folks for a while.”

I paused halfway through loading a bag and blinked at him.

“Oh, sorry,” the omega said. “It’s just that I see your wedding ring and I’ve been keeping an eye on the three of you, not in a creepy way, mind you, as you’ve trundled about the center.”

Alarm shot through me and my heart started beating faster. I shifted the bag into the SUV, then cautiously reached for another.

“I don’t really know what to say about that,” I told him, again sticking to the truth as closely as possible.

The omega chuckled. “I’m Randy, by the way,” he said, holding his hand out to me.

I loaded the next bag, which happened to be the last, then shook his offered hand, saying, “Fletcher.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Fletcher,” Randy said with a happy smile.

I was wary of strangers almost all the time, but nothing about Randy screamed danger to me. He was a grey-haired, slightly paunchy omega…who wore two wedding rings.

He must have noticed me staring. “I’m married to two alphas,” he said, his smile not faltering a bit.

That simple sentence felt like someone shining a spotlight on me. “I, um, I’m just married to Gideon,” I said, a little like a deer in that spotlight.

“Is he the alpha or the other omega?” Randy asked.

I had no idea why I felt okay about being honest with Randy. I just kept staring at his two wedding rings, even after he let my hand go.

“He’s the omega,” I said. “We’ve been together for years. Artemis, the alpha, is new.”

“Ah, new love,” Randy said, as if we were talking about something in an old movie and not the sort of thing some people would sneer at. “I was together with Owen for five years before James came along. But when the love bug bites, there’s not much you can do about it.”

I was still so stunned I wasn’t sure what to say.

“How are you married to two alphas?” I asked, blinking rapidly. “I thought polygamy was illegal.”

“Ah!” Randy said, then gave me a sly, naughty look. “It’s illegal for the majority of the population, but it’s allowed if all three parties in the marriage are bonded.”

For the second time in as many minutes, I felt like I’d had the wind knocked out of me. “All three of you are bonded?” I asked, hope causing my heart to beat faster.

“Yep,” Randy said, love beaming in his smile. “Believe me, we were as surprised as you are. This was back in the wild days of our youth. Owen and I were just a little, well, you don’t need to know the details, but James wasn’t the first third we played with. We had one hot, amazing heat with him, and next thing I know, I woke up feeling two alphas in my head.”

My jaw dropped. Like, literally, as cliché as that was. “I didn’t think it was possible to bond with more than one person.”

Randy snorted and waved the idea away. “Of course it’s possible. Granted, it doesn’t happen every day, but it’s definitely possible.”

I was speechless with possibility. Maybe there was a way Artemis, Gideon, and I could all be together without anyone feeling left out.

I deflated a second later, refusing to let myself get my hopes up. Bonds were so incredibly rare to begin with. If Artemis and Gideon hadn’t bonded already, would they ever?

“Sorry if I’ve stepped on some toes or said something I shouldn’t have,” Randy said with a sympathetic look. “I take it the three of you aren’t married? I mean, all of you together.”

“No,” I said, sighing. “I didn’t think it was possible. And so far, only Artemis and I have bonded.”

Randy’s sympathetic look turned into him patting me on the shoulder. “Don’t give up hope yet. It’s rare to bond with someone instantly, though you and I both know it happens. Owen and I were together for two years before ourbond happened, and I swear that only came about because I got pregnant with our daughter, Denise.”

“I’m glad you were able to bond,” I said. More than that, I was glad I’d run into him.

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